Japanese volleyball sensation Yuji Nishida has become a global internet star after a dramatic and heartfelt apology during a recent all-star match. The incident took place during a serving challenge at the SV League All-Star Game held in Kobe on February 1. While the event was meant to showcase the skills of top athletes, it was an accidental mishap that stole the entire spotlight. Nishida launched a powerful left-handed serve that veered off course and struck a female court official on the back.
The 26-year-old athlete was visibly horrified the moment he saw the ball hit the staff member. Instead of a simple wave or a verbal “my bad” from across the net, he sprinted toward her at full speed. In a move that left spectators stunned, he threw himself onto the court and performed a massive belly slide that carried him across the floor. He came to a stop directly at her feet with his head lowered in a traditional display of deep remorse.
Witnesses described the moment as both touching and unintentionally hilarious as the 6-foot-1 player glided like a human curling stone. “His sincerity is on another level! So wholesome and hilarious,” one social media user noted after the video ammassed over 8 million views in a single day. Another observer went as far as to call the theatrical gesture “a work of art” due to the pure grace of the slide. Even the television commentators joined in on the fun by joking about the physical toll of the move.
One commentator noted that the friction from the slide was so intense he was worried it might burn the player’s head. Another analyst jokingly compared the sliding athlete to a “freshly landed tuna” because of the way he launched his body flat across the hardwood. Despite the humor of the situation, the official involved appeared completely unharmed and took the apology in great spirits. She smiled and bowed back to the star as the crowd erupted in a mix of laughter and supportive applause.
The gesture reminded many of a traditional Japanese prostration known as dogeza which is used to show extreme respect or deep regret. While Nishida added a modern athletic twist with the high-speed slide, the core message of accountability was clear to everyone watching. After getting up from his slide, he continued to kneel and bow repeatedly to ensure she knew how sorry he felt. He even pressed his palms together in a pleading fashion to emphasize his regret before returning to his side of the net.
This viral moment has sparked a wider conversation online about the high standards of sportsmanship found in Japanese culture. Many fans praised the captain of Osaka Bluteon for being such a class act despite his status as one of the world’s best players. Even though the serving error was a minor mistake during an exhibition event, his reaction showed a level of humility that many believe is missing in modern professional sports. “If all men learned to apologize like this, we would have world peace,” one viral comment stated.
Outside of the viral apology, Nishida proved why he is considered a superstar by delivering a masterclass performance during the actual game. He led his team to a dominant 3-0 victory and was eventually named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. He recently shared his thoughts on the incident by apologizing again for his “poor control” during the skills challenge. He also expressed his surprise at how much attention the moment received from people all over the world.
A Japanese volleyball player is going viral for his dramatic apology after hitting someone with his servepic.twitter.com/S4g7ofZOMB
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) February 2, 2026
For those unfamiliar with the sport, Yuji Nishida is a prominent member of the Japanese national team and is known for his incredible vertical leap and left-handed power. He was a key player in Japan’s deep runs during both the 2020 and 2024 Olympic Games. Standing at 1.87 meters, he plays the position of opposite hitter and is famous for serves that can reach speeds of over 75 miles per hour. He is currently married to fellow professional volleyball player Sarina Koga and they recently celebrated the birth of their first child.
Volleyball itself is a sport played by two teams of six players on a court divided by a high net. The goal is to send the ball over the net so that it grounds on the opponent’s side while preventing the same on your own side. Japan has a particularly rich history in the sport with both their men’s and women’s national teams consistently ranking among the best in the world. The SV League is the top-tier professional volleyball league in Japan and attracts some of the best international talent across the globe.
How do you feel about this level of sportsmanship in professional athletics, and do you think more players should show this kind of humility? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
